SANTA and his band of elf helpers battled against high winds and snow as they called in on 74 children in upper Teesdale in a pre-Christmas visit last month.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, children in Middleton-in-Teesdale and upper Teesdale enjoyed visiting Santa in his grotto following the Christmas light switch on.
However, with lockdown restrictions in place last year, Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) organised Covid-secure doorstep visits.
They were such a big hit the charity decided to do it again this year.
And as Storm Arwen swept into the dale Santa swooped his reindeer-powered sleigh in favour of a Utass minibus,
Emma Spry, from Utass, said: “Everybody really loved it and it was really nice to have so many informed kids look shocked that Santa knew so much about them.
“Despite the wind and the snow, 74 children had a visit from Santa.”
Two teams of Santas covered the upper dale, with Ray and June Wainwright hitching a ride in one Utass minibus, while Sid and Jane Wilkinson helped out on another route.
“I never thought I’d say this, but driving Santa and his helpers up Holwick in a gale force wind in the Utass bus was scary but fun,” added Ms Spry.
